{"product_id":"mottainai-honjo-azuma-9798181498976","title":"Mottainai: Finding New Life in Old Things","description":"A story about the Japanese art of mottainai - finding new life in old things.\u003cp\u003eHana loves her blue shirt more than anything. But one year later, it is too small. She is ready to throw it away.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHer grandmother has other ideas.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith a pair of scissors and patient hands, Obaachan shows Hana how one old shirt can become a cloth bunny, a fabric flower, and a basket handle - and how nothing is ever truly finished if you know how to look.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMottainai\u003c\/b\u003e (say it: \"moh-tah-ee-nah-ee\") is a Japanese word that carries the feeling of sadness over waste. It teaches children that value is not about newness - it is about attention, care, and imagination.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerfect for readers ages 4-7, \u003ci\u003eMottainai\u003c\/i\u003e is a warm, beautifully illustrated picture book that sparks conversations about sustainability, creativity, and the art of seeing possibility in everyday things.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduces Japanese cultural values in an accessible, story-driven way\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupports Social Emotional Learning (SEL): creativity, resourcefulness, gratitude\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes a \"Try Mottainai at Home\" activity page and a note for grown-ups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeatures original Japanese ehon-style illustration with a limited 5-color palette\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePart of \u003ci\u003eThe Japanese Ways\u003c\/i\u003e series by Honjo Azuma\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"Can YOU think of something at home that could become something new?\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Honjo Azuma\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798181498976\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/14\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 74\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.33lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 8.50w x 0.15d","brand":"Honjo Azuma","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48852989804799,"sku":"9798181498976","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/mottainai-honjo-azuma-9798181498976","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}